On today’s Monday Reading List: Music Business Worldwide tells us why this week will be so important for the industry, Taylor Swift and Apple join forces (again), a new study suggests that streaming might actually help record sales, and the RZA considers stealing back the Wu-Tang album that recently sold for millions.
The way in which webcasting rates are figured is extremely complex — and extremely important. This week the US Copyright Royalty Board is deciding on new webcasting rates. The rates will likely be increased, which could cost the entire industry — and in particular services like Pandora — a very large amount of money. MBW has a great explainer on all the numbers at play in the decision, and just how much money is at play.
Read more: Music Business Worldwide.
Adele, Taylor Swift, and co have made no secrets about their aversion to the streaming model. They’ve pulled music, withheld new releases from streaming platforms, behind a stance that the platforms devalue music and hurt record sales. But a new study suggests that streaming may actually increase record sales. What say you, T-Swift?
Read more: Billboard.biz.
Today, the inimitable Tay-Tay announced the release of her 1989 World Tour film — and it’ll be available exclusively via Apple Music. The film launches on December 20th, but more importantly, this is yet another example of Swift & Apple’s newfound working relationship. That angry letter she posted on her tumblr back in June seems ages ago.
Read more: The Verge.
Last week, Martin Shkreli (the guy that raised the price of a life-saving drug by 4,000 percent) bought the only copy of the Wu-Tang Clan’s new album for about $2 million. It’s like the opposite of a Christmas miracle.
But all is not lost, because twitter has discovered that there is (allegedly) a clause in the contract that allows for “currently active members of the Wu-Tang Clan and/or actor Bill Murray,” to “legally plan and attempt to execute one (1) heist or caper to steal back Once Upon A Time In Shaolin, which, if successful, would return all ownership rights to the seller.”
We’re really getting the urge to call Bill Murray.
— RZA! (@RZA) December 11, 2015